Back Row: Ormsby,Hennessy,Satelle,Dunleavy,Hanley,Lee,Keane,Sheppard,Connolly,Heagney
Front Row: Smith,Hourihane,Cunningham,Clifford,Power,Murphy,Corry,Morrissey
Pictures from the match
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Lithuania Invitational Under-17 Friendly Tournament Final
Republic of Ireland 1- 2 Russia
Ireland’s ambitions of landing a trophy to bolster confidence ahead of their UEFA qualifying matches in September were dashed today in Lithuania by Russia.
The victors went ahead in the Final on 14 minutes before Darragh Satelle levelled the game up at 1-1 in the 18th minute. It was the Crumlin United striker’s third goal in as many matches at this level following his double in the 2-0 victory over Belarus.
The Irish began the match at pace and carved out three openings inside the first four minutes. Greg Cunningham saw his first minute header well saved 90 seconds before Satelle angled a shot wide of the post. Karl Sheppard turned and shot a minute later but was denied by the goalkeeper’s stop.
Russia grabbed the lead through a quickly taken short-corner which was crossed to the far post and nodded home.
Darragh Satelle brought Ireland level merely four minutes afterwards, converting Sheppard’s delivery with a composed shot.
The Russians found themselves reduced to ten men with 22 minutes gone after two yellow cards were dished out to Igor Dargunov. The Irish youngsters then began to open up the opposition’s defence with the sort of flowing passes which were the hallmark of their play this week.
Conor Hourihane floated a free-kick wide and Satelle was unfortunate not to score again after 24 minutes but his clip from a threaded pass by captain Conor Clifford sailed inches the wrong side of the post.
Sunderland midfielder Hourihane was off-target with another shot early in the second half and substitute David Heagney thought he had put Ireland ahead 14 minutes before the end from his effort but the goalkeeper produced a superb stop.
Russia punished Ireland for missing those opportunities by retaking the lead two minutes later when their winger charged in from the left and drove his shot past goalkeeper Harry Lee.
Hourihane had Ireland’s last chance in stoppage time but Russia hung on in the latter stages despite the best efforts of a brave Irish side who can be proud of their display during a week of training and games that they have greatly benefited from.
Ireland will compete in the first phase of UEFA qualifiers against Ukraine, Denmark and Slovakia on home soil from September 14th - 19th.
Republic of Ireland:
Harry Lee – Charlton Athletic
Pauric Ormsby - St. Kevin’s Boys
John Dunleavy - Wolverhampton Wanderers
Kallum Keane - Derby County
Mark Power - Aston Villa
Conor Hourihane - Sunderland
Paul Corry - Belvedere
Conor Clifford - Chelsea (captain)
Gregory Cunningham - Manchester City
Karl Sheppard - Everton
Darragh Satelle - Crumlin United
Substitutions:
David Heagney - Huddersfield Town for Sheppard (55 mins)
John Smyth – Muirhevnamor for Corry (64 mins)
Mark Connolly - Wolverhampton Wanderers for Satelle (78 mins)
Ireland’s results in Lithuania:
Sunday 19th August – Group
Republic of Ireland 2 - 0 Belarus – 4pm, Irish time
(Satelle 2)
Tuesday, 21st August – Group
Lithuania 0 -2 Republic of Ireland – 4pm, Irish time
(Heagney, Cunningham)
Thursday, 23rd August – Final
Republic of Ireland 1- 2 Russia.
(Satelle) |
